About this episode

Maureen Farrell discusses U.S. engagement in Africa amidst competition with China and the challenges faced by U.S. companies.

While the Trump administration has taken a hard line toward Africa through aid cuts, travel bans, and pressure on governments like South Africa, it has also generated more investor excitement in Washington than we've seen in years. Donald Trump's new transactional foreign policy for the continent is prompting newfound enthusiasm from U.S. mining, oil, and security companies. But translating that enthusiasm into actual engagement won't be easy. The majority of U.S. companies taking the first steps into the continent's critical minerals sector, for example, are small, inexperienced, and lag far behind their Chinese competitors. Maureen Farrell, a non-resident senior fellow at The Atlantic Council, is in the midst of co-writing a six-part series of recommendations for U.S. policymakers to bolster U.S. security and economic engagement in Africa. Maureen joins Eric & Géraud to explain why Guinea, Libya, and Mozambique are of particular interest. 📌 Topics Covered in this Episode U.S.-China competition in Africa Critical minerals and supply chains Guinea mining opportunities Libya geopolitics and energy Mozambique LNG and security risks Challenges facing US companies Show Notes: The…

People in this episode

Hosts: Eric, Géraud

Guest: Maureen Farrell

Topics covered

• U.S.-China competition in Africa
• Critical minerals and supply chains
• Guinea mining opportunities
• Libya geopolitics and energy
• Mozambique LNG and security risks
• Challenges facing US companies

Keywords

• U.S. foreign policy
• Africa
• China
• mining
• energy
• security
• investment
• critical minerals

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Atlantic Council, U.S., China

Places: Guinea, Libya, Mozambique, South Africa, Africa

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• Why Residents Near a Massive Chinese-run Mine in the DR Congo Are Getting Sick · April 2, 2026 · 53 min
• China's Economic Relationship With Africa Is Entering a New Phase · March 26, 2026 · 41 min
• Comparing U.S. and Chinese Aid Strategies in Africa · March 12, 2026 · 57 min

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